Metal Liverpool
Vicky Andrews
Metal is an arts organisation working across three sites: Liverpool, Peterborough and Southend-on-Sea, with the iconic Merseyside location being the oldest of the three. Metal produces an immensely varied programme of international and UK artists in residence, artist development labs, social events, education programmes and creative projects, all designed to encourage the participation of local people and communities.
Working from Edge Hill Train Station, the oldest active passenger railway station in the world, Metal Liverpool carries on the unique buildings’ legacy of innovation and creativity. The original 1830s station now serves as a cultural and creative hub for artists who bring imagination and ideas to the neighbourhoods of Edge Hill, Kensington, Wavertree and Toxteth, creating a positive impact for the people living there.
Metal Liverpool’s flagship projects include a commission with music artist Forest Swords, the Turner Prize winning project Granby Workshop with artist collective Assemble, a presentation of Different Trains with Steve Reich, London Contemporary Orchestra and Bill Morrison, and Meanwhile Space with Cristina Lina, Neville Gabie, Marcus Coates and the residents of Picton.
The arts lab also hosts regular events including Future Station, Edge Hill Garden and Time and Space residences. In 2020, Metal launched Future Network Shorts, a monthly event which invited six artists to share their work online, delivered across a mix of virtual platforms. Metal Artists Network was was also born during the pandemic, to provide a supportive community for creatives by regularly meeting to chat and learn new skills like perfecting an artist bio or applying for residencies. There are regular support drop-in sessions, open calls and social events.
It’s always worth checking out Metal’s programme to see what’s on – something is bound to catch your eye. It would be difficult to find another organisation as good at bringing people together and really organically. embedding art and artists into the local community.
